'We Were Inspired, But Not Under Pressure: Upendra Yadav On Virat Kohli's Ranji Trophy Comeback
The Ranji Trophy clash between Delhi and Railways is like a delight for all the Virat Kohli's fans and the Delhiites who witnessed him on the Arun Jaitley Stadium playing the domestic cricket after almost 12 years. On January 30, Thursday, the crowd proved in the stadium that Kohli has a different aura and is loved by everyone. Delhi's pacer Navdeep Saini spoke about the impact that Kohli brought in his comeback in the Ranji Trophy. He was sure by watching the crowd that the match wouldn't be like any other usual game. Over 16,000 people were estimated to watch the game in the stadium. Kohli last played a Ranji match against Uttar Pradesh in 2012.
According to sources, if the crowd gets more on the second day of the match as Kohli will be batting, then all the gates of the stadium will get opened for the fans to watch him live.
Virat's teammate Navdeep Saini, after the first day of the game, said that Kohli's energy is very high, so automatically the team's energy also gets a boost. He also said that when they were coming in the morning and saw such a long line, that was the time he realized the game was going to be different.
"His energy is so high; automatically, our energy level also goes up with him around. Then his effort, whenever he is batting, fielding, or in the gym, is always 110 percent. As we were coming in the morning, we saw the long line and realized that this was going to be different; the fans would just pour in."
"We were inspired, but we are not under pressure." - Upendra Yadav
Railways team wicketkeeper Upendra Yadav said that they have made special plans for Kohli when he comes out to bat on January 31, which he is not going to reveal. He also said that everyone was very inspired by him but was not under pressure. It's natural when a cricketer of Kohli's stature comes to play with them; then obviously everyone gets excited. Upendra was the top scorer in the first innings by scoring 95 runs.
"So how do we maintain composure when Virat bhaia comes out to bat? We had our bowlers' meeting, and we have made our plans, but I will obviously not share them with you guys. We don't need to get carried away by the atmosphere. We just have to bowl in the good length area. We were inspired, but we are not under pressure. When a cricketer of this stature plays with you, then obviously you get excited."
Delhi bowled Railways out for 241 in the first innings, and at the end of the day, Delhi was at 41/1, with Sanat Sangwan and Yash Dhull to start the game on the second day, and Kohli is yet to bat.